EEO Trust Annual Report 2009
Chairman's Report

Although the recession in New Zealand has been challenging for many organisations, we have seen this year a new appreciation of flexibility as a way to successfully navigate a path out of tougher times.

In years past, flexibility has been seen primarily as a tool to enable workforce participation for those who would otherwise face barriers. However, as the recession started biting, the EEO Trust took the opportunity to encourage flexibility as a way to avoid redundancies and retain talent until better times returned. We maintained that in a short time, the economy would improve and there would be skills shortages in many areas.

 This year, the EEO Trust has heard many stories of companies taking up flexibility as a recession-bearing tool and engaging with their staff to find ways to keep businesses going. We heard of staff and managers negotiating temporary periods of reduced working hours and pay restraints to save jobs, and employers investing employee down-time in further training and development. Many of those organisations that did reduce hours found they only needed a few months to do so before things returned to normal, with their critical talent pool intact.

I wish to acknowledge the insight brought to the EEO Trust by my fellow trustees, and the dedication and intelligence of the EEO Trust team, led by Dr Philippa Reed. The recession has not, it seems, diminished the wide interest in diversity management, work-life issues and their link to improved productivity and bottom lines. The EEO Trust's stable membership tells me that its work remains highly relevant to business, adding real value to its member organisations. 

In fact, the EEO Trust enjoyed a record number of entries to its Work & Life Awards 2009. The Awards are a great platform for celebrating organisations which help staff make the most of their talents. It is always exciting to witness members' enthusiasm and their willingness to share their experiences.

The first EEO Trust Work & Life Awards were held in 1997. In the years since, the makeup of New Zealand workplaces has continued to change, and we have seen a maturing in members' creativity and innovation. Employment is not a one-way street; it is a partnership between employer and employee, and the challenge is to keep developing policies and practices that allow everyone to contribute fully.

Michael Barnett
Chairman
October 2009

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